Anthony Hopkins circling ‘The Corrections’ Adaptation at HBO

Another day, another soon-to-be critically acclaimed series being set up at HBO. This time the Jonathan Franzen novel The Corrections is in the spotlight and The Social Network producer Scott Rudin is working with his frequent collaborator Noah Baumbach (The Squid& The Whale, Kicking and Screaming) on the adaptation.

Now word is that Odin himself, Sir Anthony Hopkins, is interested in a central role – which should greatly increase the chances of HBO ordering a pilot.

The Corrections has been on Rudin’s plate since Franzen’s novel was first published a decade ago. Initially, Rudin had intended to see a feature film produced from the source material, but after so much time passing, and given the complexity of the book, the choice to move Franzen’s work to HBO became the ideal situation.

The novel concerns the Lamberts, a Midwestern family, and the troubles in the lives of their three children. Spanning time from the mid-twentieth century to nearly the close of the millennium, it’s easy to see how a multi-year television series would serve Franzen’s novel better than a single feature film.

Hopkins is, of course, eyeing the role of the family’s patriarch, Alfred, making the actor the cornerstone of both the story and the production.

Upon its release, The Corrections garnered a great deal of critical praise – eventually going on to win the National Book Award. The novel managed to earn more notoriety and media attention when its author famously stated he was upset with being named to Oprah’s book club, because the Oprah Winfrey seal of approval (which many other authors would kill for) was essentially off-putting to men. Days later, Oprah announced Franzen would not be appearing on her show, as he was “uncomfortable” and “conflicted” with being chosen as a book club selection. The Corrections would end up as one of the best-selling novels of the decade.

Baumbach and Rudin have worked together on the filmmaker’s last few projects like Margot at the Wedding and the Ben Stiller-led Greenberg. Rudin also produced Baumbach’s collaborations with Wes Anderson including: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and the stop motion animation adaptation of the Roald Dahl story Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Rudin and Baumbach have a history of working with top tier talent, so, Anthony Hopkins aside, the duo will likely construct an impressive ensemble cast. With the inclusion of talented like Mr. Hopkins, the duo may have to beat potential candidates away with a stick.

HBO seemingly can’t lose with their string of programming based on popular reading material. Recent hits like Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire both sprang from books, so it’s no stretch to think the network can adapt matter as potentially daunting as The Corrections.

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Though Hopkins isn’t a sure deal, and The Correctionsis a long way from getting a series order, Screen Rant will be sure to follow the news on this potentially high profile show from HBO.